Office and small business cleaner
Clean offices, clinics and small shops after hours on regular weekly contracts.
- A$500-3k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Regular commercial cleaning of offices, small shops, gyms and clinics: bins, floors, kitchens, bathrooms and surfaces, usually outside business hours.
Your first three steps
- Get an ABN and public liability insurance, and buy commercial-grade equipment and products
- Walk local business strips and approach owners, offering a free quote and a trial clean
- Prepare a simple quote template and service agreement covering tasks, frequency and price
Who pays
Small business owners, office managers, strata managers and professional practices.
How it makes money
A fixed monthly fee or per-visit price agreed in a simple contract. Several evening contracts can add up to a steady income, and a team can take on more sites.
Skills that help
- Reliable and consistent
- Organising routes and schedules
- Quoting and basic admin
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, which larger clients often ask to see
- Out-of-hours work and holding keys or alarm codes, so keep access arrangements secure
- Safe handling of chemicals, check safety data sheet requirements
- Workers compensation insurance and award pay rates once you hire, check with Fair Work and your state scheme
- Registering for GST once turnover reaches the threshold
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: office and small business cleaner
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an office cleaning business?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on the equipment, supplies and insurance you arrange. Your own figure will depend on the size of the contracts you aim for.
How much can an office cleaning business earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many contracts you hold and their size. These are estimates only, and revenue is not profit once costs are covered.
What rules and insurance should I check for commercial cleaning?
Check public liability insurance, which larger clients often ask to see. Keep keys and alarm codes secure, and check safety data sheet requirements for chemicals. Once you hire, check award pay rates with Fair Work, your state workers compensation scheme, and GST registration thresholds.
Other ways to run this business
Similar cleaning ideas
Weekend pool cleaning side hustle
Service a handful of nearby pools on weekends and evenings alongside another job.
- A$800-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile leather cleaning and conditioning
Visit homes, offices and car owners to clean and condition leather lounges and car seats.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Weekend carpet cleaning side hustle
Start small with a hired or entry-level machine and clean carpets on weekends.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Rental and end-of-lease cleaning
Do one-off cleans for tenants, landlords and agents before inspections.
- A$500-3k
- Part-time
- Out and about
After-hours office cleaning contracts
Clean small offices, clinics and shops in the evenings or early mornings on regular weekly contracts.
- A$500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mobile bike wash and degrease
Clean and lube bikes at cyclists' homes, workplaces and club rides with a compact van or ute kit.
- A$500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about